U.S. Legal Immigration From Muslim-Majority Nations Drops 96 Percent
Washington, Tuesday, 6 October 2026.
Recent data reveals U.S. legal immigration from 45 Muslim-majority nations plunged 96% between late 2024 and early 2026, with refugee resettlements from these countries falling entirely to zero.
Sharp Decline in Visa Issuances and Refugee Admissions
Legal immigration to the United States from 45 majority-Muslim nations has decreased by 96% between December 2024 and February 2026, according to a new analysis of State Department data [2][3]. Monthly immigrant visa issuances and permanent lawful refugee admissions for nationals of these countries fell from 21,096 in December 2024 to just 808 in February 2026 [2][3]. This reduction represents a mathematical decline calculated as -96.17 percent [2][5]. Refugee resettlements from these specific nations dropped from 5,157 admissions in December 2024 to zero in February 2026 [2][5]. Afghanistan recorded one of the most significant decreases, with arrivals falling from 5,563 immigrants and refugees in December 2024 to just nine in February 2026 [2][5]. Pakistan recorded a 97.9% decline during the same period, while Turkey recorded the smallest decline at 8% [5]. Only Qatar, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates saw increases in immigration numbers during this timeframe [2][5].
Administrative Policies and Legislative Timeline
The contraction in legal entry pathways follows a series of directives issued by the Trump administration after taking office in January 2025 [2]. On January 1, 2026, the administration expanded travel restrictions to 39 countries and holders of Palestinian Authority-issued documents, adding Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria to the list [1]. This expansion also moved Laos and Sierra Leone to full restrictions and removed exemptions for immediate family members of U.S. citizens [1]. A presidential proclamation issued in January 2025 had previously suspended refugee admissions for 120 days, setting the stage for further reductions [2]. In December 2025, a subsequent proclamation barred entry to the United States by immigrants from 40 countries, of which 10 are majority-Muslim [2]. On August 21, 2026, a court-ordered pause ended the suspension of immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, which had been in effect since January 21, 2026 [1]. Despite this pause ending, the data from February 2026 indicates the restrictions had already significantly impacted processing numbers [2][3].
Advocacy Responses and Legal Challenges
On October 5, 2026, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement calling for Congress to prioritize the NO BAN Act following the White House’s promotion of the reduction figures [1]. CAIR Government Affairs Department Director Robert S. McCaw stated that by celebrating the exclusion of legal immigrants from Muslim-majority nations, the White House is admitting the bigoted motivation behind its immigration decisions [1]. The organization urges courts to review the administration’s immigration policies for anti-Muslim animus [1]. This statement comes amid broader legal challenges, including a federal ruling on June 5, 2026, that struck down an administration policy freezing asylum and work permit applications for individuals from 39 countries [1]. Additionally, on September 18, 2026, a new public charge rule took effect impacting visa and green card applicants, coinciding with a federal injunction limiting warrantless immigration arrests in Southern California [1]. The Cato Institute analysis notes that if the trend continues, Fiscal Year 2026 would see the fewest immigrants and refugees from majority-Muslim countries in at least 30 years [2].